Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 2: Mets & Talk About It
Date: September 16, 2025
Podcast Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Source: ESPN New York

Overview

This lively hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg covers the emotional rollercoaster of New York sports fandom, with special attention paid to the Mets’ struggles and playoff chances, industry news (including a fun WWE announcement from Peter Rosenberg himself), the shift in major sports events to cities like Las Vegas, and candid reflections on athletes’ career decisions. The episode’s tone is conversational, playful, and sometimes feisty, mixing deep sports analysis with pop culture and listener engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WrestlePalooza & Peter Rosenberg’s Big News

[01:39–06:00]

• Peter Rosenberg shares exciting WWE news:

  • He is hosting a special “WrestlePalooza” event for ESPN2 on Friday at 3pm, then re-airing through Saturday.
  • Rosenberg jokes about how upset he would have been seeing someone else host the special:

    “How much would I have complained to you if I had been sitting here, we looked up at the screen, and someone else was hosting the special? ... It should have been me!” (Peter Rosenberg, [02:23])

  • His mystery co-host is debated, with the group bantering through possible candidates (LeBron James? Eli Manning? Reggie Miller? Tyrese Haliburton?).
    • Big reveal: Tyrese Haliburton, known for loving wrestling, will co-host with Peter.
    • The segment brims with their unique brand of playful, New York sports banter.

• Discussion on Las Vegas vs. New Orleans for big sports events:

  • WWE shifted WrestleMania from New Orleans back to Vegas, a business move that irked many.
  • Alan’s take:

    “Getting around Vegas is a pain in the ace. New Orleans, you get a central hotel, you’re walking everywhere.” (Alan Hahn, [06:24])

  • Discussion extends to whether New Orleans has outgrown Super Bowls and WrestleMania-type events.

2. Mets' Playoff Hopes and Listener Calls

[08:02–13:43]

• Caller Jose from Connecticut:

  • Draws a comparison between the Mets’ inconsistency and the Knicks' past frustrations:

    “I don’t know how to feel about this team...I wouldn’t be surprised if they beat the Dodgers and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers smoke them, right?” (Caller, [08:32])

• Hosts' Analysis:

  • Peter and Don express skepticism the Mets could win the first round.
  • Alan notes, “How could you possibly have full confidence in your team when you know what sport looks like right now?” ([09:31])
  • Discussion of MLB parity and playoff unpredictability—everyone is flawed, even favorites like the Dodgers.

• Jesse Rogers’ polling of MLB insiders:

  • AL favorites: Blue Jays cited as “most well-rounded,” threats include Tigers and Yankees, whose bullpen “will get hot.” ([10:25])
  • NL: Mets least mentioned, but some players believe in their potential to “get hot.”

    “There’s that hot thing again…you just got to get hot at the right time.” (Don Hahn, [11:42])

  • Persistent issue: shaky Mets bullpen undermining otherwise strong offense.

• Changes in MLB rules impacting bullpen management:

  • Three-batter minimum for relievers discussed; no more constant specialist pitching changes ([12:38])
  • Consensus: Rule has made games shorter, but complicates late-inning strategy.

3. Conspiracy Theories & Classic Callers

[13:49–18:03]

• Caller Rico in Buffalo:
  • Praises Don’s boldness in claiming NFL would not let the Chiefs lose three straight:

    “Don, you were a man’s man…you got brass balls.”

  • Insists officials can influence outcomes, referencing YouTube and Michael Franzese (mobster, not Francesa the broadcaster).
  • Hosts gently push back—Alan:

    “Before you start labeling people, don’t make this like that now. You took a hard left there.” ([14:26])

  • Segment pivots into a humorous, lightly combative exchange mixing New York-style skepticism and affection.

4. Robert Redford: Reflecting on Legacy

[18:10–21:43]

• Alan on generational recognition of Robert Redford:
  • “His name meant handsome actor... Whoever you are, ‘Who does he think he is, Robert Redford?’” ([18:49])
• They recall his iconic movie roles (Gatsby, The Natural, Butch Cassidy, The Sting), with Peter adding,

  “For me though, it’s The Natural.” ([19:45])

• Alan and Don praise Redford’s directorial work, reflect on his 89-year life, and marvel that Dan Rather is still “dropping bombs” at 93.

5. Let’s ‘Talk About It’ Tuesday:

[24:00–31:25]

• Alan’s Positive:

  • Baker Mayfield’s “national anointing” as a legit NFL leader.

    “Last night was sort of an official, an unofficial national anointing of who Baker Mayfield is…he is that dude.” ([24:28])

    • Praises his gritty performance, ability to rebound after setbacks in his career and during games.

• Alan’s Negative:

  • Tom Brady’s return—for flag football in Saudi Arabia:

    “How much money is ever enough? You gotta go back and get a bag to play flag football?” ([27:00])

    • Expresses frustration with the headline framing (“Brady returning to the field”).

• Hosts’ Opinions on Sports in Saudi Arabia:

  • Acknowledgement that, despite earlier controversy, it’s now standard for leagues, stars to take big checks from Saudi promotions.

    “Over time, guys, [Vince McMahon] would have just thrown money in the garbage because everyone’s there. Now NFL players are just the latest ones getting to it. ... Get your bag.” (Alan Hahn, [30:02])

• Don’s Talk About It (Shadur Sanders Draft Story):

  • Shares report that Shadur Sanders declined the chance to be a Baltimore Raven (play behind Lamar) for a starting opportunity with the Browns.

    “Is he really about what he says he’s about? …Going to the Browns is going to the desert.” (Don Hahn, [33:26])

  • Group views the move as misguided—Browns and Jets “quarterback hell” with little upside for a young player.

6. Mets Deep Dive: David Stearns Speaks

[39:05–48:29]

• Mets’ President David Stearns addresses the media, reflecting on the team’s collapse after a strong start.

  • On current mindset:

    “We still have an opportunity ahead of us to get to the postseason. That’s a meaningful opportunity. Staying in the right mindset is probably a big part of what’s going to determine our success.” (David Stearns, [39:47])

• Peter comments on playoff hopes:

  “As much as I’m down on it, they’re still going to go to the playoffs because I just don’t trust any of the teams that are chasing.” ([40:20])

• Stearns is candid about not expecting the current tough spot but says, “my focus is from here forward.” ([40:54])

  • Don and Alan agree: If the Mets “blow this thing,” expect major changes and possibly breaking up the core.
  • Stearns expresses regret about not being more aggressive at the trade deadline after injuries devastated the staff.

    “Had I had that knowledge going in, yes, it would have changed what we did.” (David Stearns, [44:23])

• Discussion turns to pitching strategy for the future:

  • Stearns: “We have to develop our own pitching…with tremendous abundance. That is where our focus is going to be.” ([46:00])
  • Alan and Don see hope with their young arms (“groundswell” for McLean as rookie of the year).

• Alan sums up the fan experience:

  “Doesn’t that at least give you something look to look forward to next year even if this ends…with losing in the wild card?” ([48:17])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hosting WrestlePalooza:
  Peter Rosenberg ([02:23]) – “How much would I have complained to you if…someone else was hosting the special? …It should have been me!”

• On New Orleans vs. Vegas for events:
  Alan Hahn ([06:24]) – “You get a central hotel in New Orleans, you’re walking everywhere. [In Vegas,] you can only be so removed from the public…”

• On the Mets' state:
  Caller Jose ([08:32]) – “I wouldn’t be surprised if they beat the Dodgers and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers smoke them…”

• On MLB's bullpen rule:
  Don Hahn ([12:54]) – “You’re stuck with somebody who comes in and he’s terrible. You got to wait two more batters. That rule has been a killer.”

• On calling out conspiracy talk:
  Alan Hahn ([14:26]) – “Before you start labeling people, don’t make this like that now… You took a hard left there.”

• On Robert Redford as a generational icon:
  Alan Hahn ([18:49]) – “His name meant handsome actor… It was like Kleenex for handsome actor. It was Robert [Redford].”

• On Baker Mayfield’s “anointing”:
  Alan Hahn ([24:28]) – “Last night was sort of an official, an unofficial national anointing of who Baker Mayfield is…”

• On Tom Brady’s flag football event:
  Alan Hahn ([27:00]) – “How much money is ever enough? …You gotta go back and get a bag to play flag football?”

• On Shadur Sanders and misguided career moves:
  Don Hahn ([33:26]) – “Going to the Browns is going to the desert. You have no chance coming out of there and becoming anything with that organization.”

• On Mets' future with young pitchers:
  Alan Hahn ([48:17]) – “Doesn’t that at least give you something look to look forward to next year even if this ends…with losing in the wild card?”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:39–06:00] – WrestlePalooza hosting announcement, fun banter on co-host guesses
• [08:02–13:43] – Mets frustration, playoff vibe, and MLB parity
• [13:49–18:03] – Conspiracy call from Rico in Buffalo, humorous pushback
• [18:10–21:43] – Remembering Robert Redford
• [24:00–31:25] – ‘Let’s Talk About It’ Tuesday: Baker Mayfield, Tom Brady, sports & culture in Saudi
• [33:26–36:47] – Shadur Sanders’ career decision dissected
• [39:05–48:29] – Mets state of the union, David Stearns presser, future outlook

Conclusion

This episode is quintessential Don, Hahn & Rosenberg—rapid-fire, culture-soaked, and authentically New York. It blends hard-hitting Mets analysis (“If the Mets blow it, Stearns has to make major changes,” [41:37]), deep dives on league-wide trends, playful media world anecdotes, and the obligatory listener calls (with a side of conspiracy). The group’s chemistry, wit, and experience shine, making for a dynamic and engaging ride through the city’s sports psyche.